Ambwin two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

An excellent route. Enjoyable throughout. Nearly all on paths well away from roads. Navigation was easy and the views superb. Not much in the way of refreshment stops, but plenty at either end and some great picnic spots on the way. Hillier and longer than ambwin(one) but worth the effort if you have time and energy.

This is a really pleasant walk from Ambleside to Windermere via woodland and hills overlooking lake Windermere often.
As regards suitably I would say that you would need to be on foot and reasonably fit as there are elevation changes that may need you to have a minute. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Starting in Ambleside where there is an abundance of shops and food amenities. Also a Tesco for your packed lunch if you haven’t brought one already. Also I would recommend the Apple Pie shop. Best apple pie I’ve ever tasted!
Onto the walk, leaving Ambleside streets you begin uphill after a short time which is reasonably steep in parts. Plenty of places for momentary stops to take in the view of the lake and fields. Also a few seats natural or otherwise.
Lovely wooded area further on with some streams. Very peaceful. More uphill while you climb higher and views of the lake are stunning!
Further on hillsides and rolling fields with sheep and cows grazing.
Other walkers seemed to be quite prepared with their walking (ski type) sticks and good footwear. I would definitely recommend walking boots due to the sometimes uneven surfaces.
Plenty of places for a lunch stop and a place on route too.
Down the hill to Windermere with a few uphills too. All very pleasant
A great walk ending near Windermere train station and bus hub. Easy to catch a bus back to Ambleside. I think it’s the 599 only costs £2 17/05/23
Oh one point to note is that the gps signal if using a smart phone is not that great so location accuracy is not perfect. My cell provider is O2 so may vary. That said if you are heading towards Windermere with the lake on the right of you there are also various signs too so you shouldn’t go far off track. Happy walking!.

I walked this from Ambleside to Windermere in August 2022 in good weather. I fully agree with the two reviews below. Its a lovely route with a mixture of terrains and some terrific views of Lake Windermere just after the climb out of Ambleside. Not suitable for wheels although we saw mountain bikers at one point!

We also experienced the two navigation challenges mentioned. Crossing the stream near Skelghyll woods required a glance at my compass to indicate the need to head left/up via a double-gate and not the 'more obvious' track ahead/down. And we found the route very unclear at Far Orrest Farm. I suggest looking very hard there for wooden signposts - they were present but not obvious!
As you approach Windermere you could take an optional diversion left up to the small peak of Orrest Head and see the views that first inspired Wainwright's love of the fells.

This is a wonderful route that typifies what makes a good Slow Way – some ancient tracks, spectacular views over Windermere and towards the Langdales but still direct between Ambleside and Windermere. It is safe although not suitable for wheels. It is much more pleasant than AmbWin One as it avoids roads for almost the entire way and is generally easy going under foot. The route is mixed woodland and lower fell farmland.

Navigation is generally easy but there are a couple of points where it is easy to go off route. The first (walking from Ambleside to Windermere) is after the farm past Skelghyll woods where you cross the stream. The way the GPX points are logged may suggest at that point you follow the track down to the right, but you should turn left heading up though the double-gated path (see photo 2). The second point of possible confusion is at Far Orrest Farm where there is an intersection of several paths. The GPX track is correct but not immediately obvious on the ground. Look for the wooden footpath signs and head right signposted to "Crosses Farm".

I've walked this route in high summer and midwinter and it works well in all conditions. For a few years the crossing of Trout Beck was difficult as the original bridges were damaged in the floods following "Storm Desmond" in 2015. There are now two much more robust bridges that make this an easy and pleasant crossing.

Other highlights apart from the stunning views of the fells and lake include the magnificent Giant Redwood marking the path off the Patterdale Road (A592) (See photo 3), Annie's Seat (See photo 4) and some delightful woodland paths rich with mushrooms in autumn.

This is a beautiful and interesting route with a good range of views and different environments. It is vastly better than AMBWIN1.

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